Milwaukee County, Milwaukee Rat Control Situation:
We live in a middle row home in Milwaukee WI. The homes on both sides of us are empty. One since 2007, and the other last year. My yard is bordered to an old factory that up until last year was also empty for a loooong time. To top it off the empty grass lot that bordered the propertys has recently been turned into a 'community' garden by the local non demonational religous group. We got our home last year in the fall. This summer we put up a small garden box. We keep our yard very clean, have our garbage in sealed cans, and don't leave our dog's ( jack fussier/pug mix) water dish filled unless we are out with him. Needless to say we are extreemly carefull. The only thing we do have is bird feeders. We have a family of cardinals that live in our lilac tree. Well yesterday when I let our dog out I noticed a hole from under our garden box. Naturally I thought it was from one of our local chipmunks that run from the community gardens wall across the yards. I filled it back up thought nothing of it and went on my way. This morning when I went to let our dog out I almost died !!! To my absloute horror there was a full grown RAT running around my yard and back down the hole. I go on the porch and it sticks its head out the hole and watches me as I get a huge shovel to fill the hole with steel mesh rocks and dirt. Needless to say I'm freeked out at the fact of:: 1. There are rats....where there is one you know there are more 2. It was out during the day 3. It wasn't afraid....hell it was almost following me like a dog to see what I was doing !!! I don't want me or my animals injured. Yes I have cats also (main coon/osicats larger than my dog who stay indoors) I have delt with rats when I lived in NYC.....sewer rats in the streets, not in my home. They were aggressive , I wached them kill a puppy. We killed them.I know how to keep them out of a house, how to protect the garbage cans, but with this I'm at a loss. What can I do to keep them out of my yard ???
Milwaukee Rat Control Tip of The Week
Should I Remove Rats Myself, Or Hire A Pro?
Disposing of rats is something you need to do, however the question is how you can achieve this. You can do this without the help of anybody; however, some would want to employ an expert. So which is the most ideal route to choose?
Let's take a look at the things to consider.
If you are certain that it is only one rat, then there is just one reason to hire an expert unless the rat appears to be sick. If you can't tell if the rat is sick, there are signs to check for and you should get familiar with these. Otherwise, it is just an issue of getting a trap, setting it up, and trusting that the rat will get captured.
There are traps that permit you to kill the rat right away and there are those that will basically trap the rat alive. If you select the ones that kill the rat, when it is dead, just toss it out and your problem is solved. However, if you decide to catch it live, take it to an area where it can't go back into your home and let it go. Ensure you wear gloves when dealing with the rat, regardless of which trap you pick.
If you find that there is more than one rat in your home, then it might be an ideal option to hire an expert. You might not have the necessary skills, time, and expertise to catch multiple rats. Rats are creatures that like to live in huge groups, so you will find that there can be thousands living in one area.
If you notice a spot in your home where they are living, then it is a smart thought to get an expert to come and take care of them. They won't just end the rat infestation in your home, but will likewise dispose of the vermin. This will keep you from having to deal with the problem at all.